We use puppy potty pans with cedar or
pine shavings. We cover the shavings with closet wire shelving
to keep the babies from playing in the shavings, which they WILL
do. It makes a mess & they try to eat them. The shavings help
with the odor as well. We start them at about 3-4 weeks in a 4x4
playpen with the box in the pen. BTW, we cover the grated floor
of the 4x4 with something solid, I do not think it is good to
train any dog to poop through a grate floor, and it creates
splayed feet. I also roll up a towel at the entrance of the
potty box
for 3-5 week olds so the newly walking babies can climb in
easier. Usually by time these babies are 5-6 weeks old, they are
fully trained to use the box.

Here is a photo with the flooring in
the playpen. We also keep their food, water, blankets, and toys
in the playpen with the potty box to the far corner. When they
get bigger, we use a 2x3 playpen with the doors removed,
attached to the 4x4, to put the potty box in. You can also use 2
4x4 in the same way. This gives them
the 4x4 area for more room.

House Training made easy for you!

When you get your baby home, since
they are already potty trained, house training should be a 2 day
process at the most. Plan your babies arrival by having someone
home around the clock with the baby for the first 3 days or more
if possible. You need to have the time to watch the baby
all day. Move the potty pan right by the door that the baby will
go out of. Leave the door open, hopefully the baby will get the
hint. Once the baby has used the pan by the door, try putting it
right on the outside of the door. Once the baby goes there, move
it a little farther, eventually getting it to the area where you
want the baby to always potty.

Always take the baby outside to that spot right after waking,
after eating, or if crated, when the baby cries....even if the
baby is crying to get out of the crate, this will teach him/her
that crying gets a potty break.

When the baby goes in the correct spot...potty box or outside,
clap your hands and baby talk yaaaaaaaay, goooood baby! believe
me, they are just like children, they LOVE that kind of praise!

2 ways to potty train

The wood chip method...a litter messy without
the grate, but the
chips help with the smell.

This is an alternative way to potty
pan train.

Supplies Needed:
*Litter Pans...we recommend 2 so that you can put down a
fresh pan as soon as you take out the used pan. You can
purchase them online, we recommend the Petco Brand.
*Cedar or Pine Chips...get small, soft chips if
possible, you can get this from Walmart and it is very
inexpensive.
*Dog Litter...you may prefer the dog litter. It is more
expensive and bulky, but makes less of a mess than the
chips. You can find it at Pet Smart.

Step 1: Getting Set Up
Make sure to set up the pan as close to an active part
of the house as possible, so your puppy will want to use
it.

Add enough litter to cover the bottom of the pan 1".

Allow at least 3 feet distance from any bedding, food,
or water.

Step 2: Teaching your Puppy to use the PanAfter meals, naps, or letting your Puppy out of
his/her crate or playpen, set the puppy in the Litter
Pan and keep him there until he goes if possible.

Clap, say yea!! and praise profusely just like you would a
child...it WORKS! They do understand that you are happy
with them.

Step 3: Successful Pan Usage
Until they are completely trained, when your Puppy is
left alone, it is best to confine them to a gated area,
playpen, or large crate with the pan enclosed with them.

If you want to completely house train, slowly move the
pan by the door, then to just outside, and eventually to a
desired Potty Spot until your Puppy asks, and goes to
the proper area on his own.